Detroit Lions name Richard Haddad Team President and CEO

Article posted by Coliseum, August 31^st, 2026

Image: Coliseum GSVA

The NFL’s Detroit Lions have appointed Richard Haddad as the team’s next President and CEO.

The Detroit Lions said Haddad will join the team in early September and assume oversight of all football and business operations of the Lions organization.

He will work closely with Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp and the Lions board of directors to set the vision for the future growth of both the Detroit Lions and Ford Field.

Hamp said, “Rich is a proven leader who understands what it means to steward an iconic sports franchise in the city of Detroit, and we are thrilled that he is bringing that experience to the Lions.

“Throughout our process, Rich’s experience, steady leadership style, and grasp on the present and future state of team sports were clear differentiators. My family and I are excited to work with Rich on driving the Lions forward in our continued pursuit to bring a championship to Detroit.”

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division.

The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit. The regular seating capacity is approximately 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for basketball.

A Michigan-born sports business executive, Haddad will join the Lions after a successful 14-year tenure with Pistons Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons, where he currently serves as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.

At PSE, Haddad has overseen business operations, business affairs and development for the Pistons and all PSE companies and properties and collaborated with and supported all basketball operations.

He has played an integral role in all the organization’s key achievements and initiatives. Haddad also leads PSE’s interests in 313 Presents as a board member helping drive strategy and growth at six entertainment venues.

Haddad brings extensive experience building strategic partnerships and working with community, business and governmental leaders in the city of Detroit and throughout Michigan.

During his tenure with PSE, Haddad helped spearhead the Pistons’ move back from Auburn Hills to Detroit and the development, construction and opening of the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center.

He also helped lead the organization’s efforts to bring a WNBA team back to Detroit and to develop a WNBA team headquarters and practice facility on the Detroit riverfront.

Haddad said, “I am thrilled to join the Detroit Lions organization as its next President and CEO.

“I want to thank Sheila Hamp and the Ford family for their trust in me, along with Tom Gores and Arn Tellem for 14 great years with the Pistons. As a lifelong Lions fan, I understand firsthand how much this team means to this city and state, and I’m honored and humbled to lead this franchise.

“Sheila, Rod [Wood], Brad [Holmes] and Dan [Campbell] have built an incredible foundation, and I can’t wait to work with them to build on that and deliver for our fans and our community.”

Haddad was born and grew up in Adrian, Mich. before earning a bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Michigan and a law degree at Columbia Law School.

Pistons Owner Tom Gores said, “We’re incredibly grateful to Rich for his leadership and the impact he’s had on our organization and our city over the past 14 years.

“Arn and I have especially appreciated his steady counsel, integrity and commitment. Rich has been an outstanding leader and a trusted partner in so many of our efforts to make a positive difference in the community.

“I have tremendous respect for Sheila, the Lions organization and everything they represent for Detroit. We’re excited for Rich and know he’ll do a tremendous job in his new role.”

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